The Event
The Bliss 'Prosecco' Evening will be held on 14th August at Muse Bistro and Wine Bar, Uppermill. The ticketed event will include drinks on arrival, canapés and a raffle entry. We also have live music from the fantastic Marcus, an up and coming acoustic singer who is a regular artist at Muse.
Tickets are available to buy for £15 each from Muse or can be requested via the online form.
Countdown to Prosecco Night
Why I am fundraising
My life changed forever when I was just 21 years old. Everyone expects the 'perfect' pregnancy but not everyone has one as I was to find out...
I was admitted to Tameside General at 16 weeks pregnant after experiencing various problems early on in my pregnancy. Days and weeks passed and my experience as an in-patient on the maternity ward almost became normal. After medical professionals told me I would probably miscarry, my little baby kept growing and growing until I could finally feel the flutters of her kicks. At 24 weeks gestation however, the blood clot in my womb that had been present since the 7th week of my pregnancy caused my waters to break. Two days later my baby girl was born at 5:16pm on 16th August 2009.
Ella-Jane Higgins weighed just 1lb 2oz. She survived with help for just 30 minutes but I was unfortunately unconscious after being given a general anaesthetic to help with the traumatic labour. I did not get to hold my baby girl while she was alive, however, we were able to spend the night with her before the chaplain took her the next morning. I will forever remember the smell or her skin, how soft her face was to touch and how it felt to hold my first baby in my arms.
I have since had another little girl, Leah, who is now three years old. She is the absolute light of my life and I truly believe Ella-Jane will always be Leah's guardian angel. Ella-Jane will always be with us and her memory and legacy will live on in our family until the end of time.
The Charities
During the grieving process, apart from family and friends, I never really had anywhere to turn. There were support groups run via other charities but none were local, there were no publications around and there was no guidance or aftercare from the NHS. Once I was discharged the day after the birth of my angel, I never heard from them again. I had never felt so alone and lonely.
One day, I was on Facebook and I saw a post for a cathedral service in Manchester celebrating angel babies. The charity organising it was Saying Goodbye. Since attending the first service in March 2012 I have been to two other services and read a passage or poem at both. This was a huge privilege for me, and gave me the opportunity to meet other parents who were also bereaved and had experienced baby loss at any stage. I no longer felt as if I was the only person in the world facing such grief, wondering how I would get through each day. There were thousands of other people like me all around the world. They require donations to fund the cathedral services that they organise every year right around the UK. Without them I really don't know where or how I would be.
Bliss, my second charity of choice, champion research into premature labour and work with health professionals to ensure the highest of quality care for those born too soon and too sick. They have a huge voluntary network around the UK who help families with premature babies day in day out. Without Bliss, many of those babies would not be here to this day.
Additional Information
Request Tickets
Can't make it?
You can still bid in the auction
Even if you're not able to attend the event, you can still view and bid on the auction items.
Please click on the button below to view the gallery of auction items, and if you see something you like why not place a bid using the handy form?
View auction items
Auction Items
Hover over the photo for more information. If you see something you would like to bid on you can use the form at the end of this section.
Kirsty-Leigh Porter's Dress
Forever Unique Dress - Worn by Soap Star Kirsty-Leigh Porter (Zoe in Coronation Street, Roz in Emmerdale and now Leela Lomax in Hollyoaks). This dress was worn by Kirsty to the Soap Awards and cost over £1000 new. It's a truly beautiful dress, perfect for a ball, prom, Christmas Party etc or if you just like soap memorabilia.
One night stay at Moorlands Caravan Park
One night stay for 4 people in a Camping pod at Moorlands Caravan Park - Saddleworth. Go glamping in one of these fantastic pods, fully equipped with lights and electricity!
Lifesize David Beckham cutout
Always wanted to wake up next to David Beckham?? Well now you can with this lifesize cardboard cutout of the main man himself!!
Afternoon Tea at Slattery
Treat yourself or your Mrs, Mum, Friend, Sister to an afternoon at the famous Slattery's Pattiserie and Bakery.
Gym Cube Subscription
Annual subscription to GymCube.com. Worth over £150 this is perfect for those who love working out at home. Stream live workouts, receive nutritional advice plus lots more.
Estella Bartlett Necklace
Beautiful Estella Batlett necklace 'Songbird'. Donated by the lovely ladies at Magpie's Nest, Stalybridge. RRP £30.
Signed Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton boxing glove
Signed boxing glove from the man himself Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton. Also includes signed photograph poster.
Manchester City Tickets
Two tickets to watch Manchester City v Swansea on Saturday 22nd November
One day's Gardening Services
One days Gardening Services provided by Highgrove Gardening Services. This can include lots of aspects gardening, anything from hedge trimming , garden tidying , fence painting , jet washing etc from two very talented gardeners (restricted to Greater Manchester only)
Bespoke Artwork
Bespoke Artwork from the very talented Gingerbox Company. Here you are bidding on 3 canvases, one bespoke cushion and 3 luxury handmade birthday cards (Cushion will be made to order)
Pinderellas Dress
Boutique Dress from Pinderellas. Stunning coral pink coloured dress in a size 10 (size can be changed if needed). Beautiful dress for all occasions. RRP over £200
